At 20, I was the youngest of eight grandchildren when Grandpa Thomas passed away.
While the others obsessed over his wealth,
I held tight to our weekends together—chess matches,
shared meals, and long talks about his life.
They teased me, calling me “teacher’s pet,” but I didn’t mind.
He wasn’t just my grandfather—he was my closest friend.
At the will reading, every relative received $200,000.
When the lawyer revealed that I was given the old farmhouse,
the room burst into laughter. “She got mold and memories,”
one cousin joked. But where they saw a crumbling relic,
I saw the heart of Grandpa’s legacy.
When I moved in, I found a hidden room behind a bookshelf—stuffed with his textile patents, journals,
and unfinished business plans. Inspired,
I poured everything into bringing his vision to life,
launching a fabric line right from that house.
Over time, the business soared—and so did their envy.
Now, the same people who laughed ask for favors and investments.
I smile, decline, and keep building.
By the fire, beneath his photo on the mantle,
I whisper, “We did it, Grandpa.” They wanted quick cash—but I inherited something far greater. And they’ll never laugh again.